Scaling device for cylindrical objects and the like



0. 0. BROWN Nov. 2, 1965 SCALING DEVICE FOR CYLINDRIGAL OBJECTS AND THELIKE Filed March 6, 1964 INVENTOR.

Beau/ FIG. 5.

United States Patent 3,214,824 SCALING DEVICE FOR CYLINDRICAL OBJECTSAND T HE LIKE Otho 0. Brown, Fort Screven, Ga. (Amelia Island LAS,Fernandina Beach, Fla.) Filed Mar. 6, 1964, Ser. No. 349,814 4 Claims.(Cl. 29-81) This invention relates to the general field ofmanuallyoperable tools and, more specifically, the instant inventionpertains to the provision of means for removing scales, rust,incrustations, paint, varnish and similar undesirable debris whichnormally accumulates on exposed substantially cylindrical articles.

One of the primary objects of this invention is to provide amanually-operable tool of a flexible link type which is adapted forwrapping about a substantially cylindrical article and so manipulated asto cause the wrapped convolutions thereof to frictionally engage thecylindrical article to remove incrustations on the exterior side thereofas the tool is moved axially of the cylindrical article.

Another object of this invention is to provide a manually-operable toolof the flexible type which may be readily Wrapped about substantiallycylindrical objects having undesirable accumulations of debris on theexterior side thereof, the tool including a plurality of knurled beadsor abrasive beads disposed in spaced relation relative to one another.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a tool of thetype generally referred to supra, which may be readily applied to tubes,pipes, and other substantially cylindrical objects disposed in locationswherein it is substantially impossible to employ a chipping hammer,scraper, or wire brush.

This invention contemplates, as a still further object thereof, theprovision of a flexible chain-type manuallyoperable tool for cleaningthe exterior sides of cylindrical and similar objects without chippingor denting the object as the cleaning operation is carried out.

Other and further objects and advantages of the instant invention willbecome more apparent from a consideration of the following specificationwhen read in conjunction with the annexed drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a scaling device or tool for cleaning theexterior surfaces of cylindrical or analogous objects and constructed inaccordance with this invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged detail cross-sectional view illustrating onemode of connection between adjacent scaling elements;

FIGURE 3 is illustrative of the mode of application of the scalingdevice or tool shown in FIGURE 1, FIG- URE 3 illustrating the device ortool as removing external debris from the outer side of a substantiallycylindrical article;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged detail side elevational view, partly incross-section and illustrating another or alternate method of toolassembly; and

FIGURE 5 illustrates another embodiment of this invention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, reference numeraldesignates, in general, a scaling device or tool constructed inaccordance with the teachings of this invention. As is shown in FIGURES1 to 3, inclusive, the scaling device or tool comprises a pair ofremotely-disposed substantially hollow triangular handles 12 ofidentical construction, each of which includes an elongatedhand-gripping horizontally-extending base member 14 from the opposedends of which rise converging sidewalls 16, 18 which merge in an apexend 20. The apex ends 20 each has a substantially hollow pocket "ice 22formed therein substantially equal to the diameter of a substantiallyhollow spherical knurled sphere 24.

As is seen in FIGURES l, 2 and 3, a plurality of the substantiallyhollow externally-knurled spheres 24 are provided, and each adjacentpair of the spheres 24 are connected through links 25 that extendthrough diametrically-opposed conical openings 26 formed in the spheres24 and which terminate at their opposed ends in substantially enlargedheads 27. The combination of the spheres 24 and the links 25 form aflexible chain 28. The connection between the links 25 and the spheres24 is such as to permit each of the spheres 24 to rotate about thelongitudinal axis of each link 25 associated therewith, the rotation ofthe spheres being accomplished independently of one another. Since theopenings 26 are substantially conically-shaped, a certain swivel actionis permitted between the spheres 24 about their respective connectinglinks 25 in order to lend flexibility to the chain 28.

As is clearly seen in FIGURE 1, the remotely-disposed ones of thespheres 24 are disposed within the pockets 22, and the handles 12 at theapex end 20 thereof are slotted as at 40 in order to permit the passagetherethrough of those links 25 which connect the remotelydisposedspheres 24 with the next adjacent ones thereof. This type of assemblypermits the tool or device 10 to be quickly and easily connected withthe handles 12 and also serves to effect a quick detachment of thehandles 12 from the chain 28 when the tool 10 is no longer required foruse. This also enables the operator to store the chain 28 and thehandles 12 in a compact manner so as to occupy a minimum amount ofspace.

In use, the chain 28 is wrapped about a cylindrical object 42 such as isshown in FIGURE 3, the wrapping including about one and one-halfconvolutions of the chain 28. In FIGURE 3 it is seen that the leadingportion of the chain 23 is disposed at a substantially acute anglerelative to the longitudinal axis of the object 42, and that thetrailing end of the chain 28 is disposed substantially at right anglesto the longitudinal axis of the object 42. The operator now grasps thebase members 14 of the handles 12 and exerts reciprocatory movement ofthe chain 28 as is indicated by the arrows in FIGURE 3. Since theleading end of the chain 28 is disposed at an acute angle relative tothe longitudinal axis of the object 42, the chain 28 will wrap and walkor otherwise move longitudinally of the object 42 to remove dust, dirt,paint, and/or other incrustations 44 adhering to the external surfacethereof and thereby leaving the external surface of the object 42 in aclean condition. In using a cleaning tool of this construction, there isno possibility of denting or puncturing hollow pipe or other similararticles, such as is always possible when using chipping tools, andadditionally, the tool 10 permits the cleaning of the entire cylindricalsurface of the object 42 where wire brushes and other similar articlescannot be successfully employed. Again, this tool 10 possesses extremeutility in the cleaning of workpieces being turned in a lathe, forexample.

FIGURE 4 illustrates another embodiment of this invention quite similarto that illustrated in FIGURES l to 3, inclusive. In this secondembodiment of the invention, a plurality of hollow spheres 50 areprovided, the hollow spheres 50 being coated with an abrasive 52. Aplurality of spheres 50 are shown as being strung on a flexible cable orstrand 54 with each adjacent ones of the spheres 50 being spaced fromone another by spacer collars 56 which are also strung on a cable orstrand 50 between each adjacent pair of the spheres 50. In all otherrespects, the two embodiments of this invention are identical.

In FIGURE 5 a further modification of the instant invention isillustrated. As is seen therein, this is seen to comprise a plurality ofsolid spheres or bearings 60 having a knurled outer surface 62 or,optionally, the exterior surface of the spheres or bearings 60 may beabrasive coated as at 64. Each of the spheres or bearings 60 is formedwith an elongated axially-extending bore or passage 66 through which isthreaded a length of flexible cable 68, and also strung upon the cable68 are a plurality of elongated substantially cylindrical spacer collars70 which are disposed between each adjacent pair of spheres or bearings60. In all other respects, this embodiment of the invention is identicalto that embodiment shown in FIGURE 4.

Having described and illustrated two embodiments of this invention, itwill be understood that the same are oifered merely by way of example,and that the scope of this invention is to be limited only by theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A scaling or cleaning device for the exterior surface of an elongatedsubstantially cylindrical workpiece, said device comprising an elongatedlength of chain including a series of knurled spheres, a plurality oflinks, each of said spheres having diametrically-opposed openings formedtherein to receive, respectively, one of the ends of a pair of saidlinks therethrough, said links extending through adjacent openingsformed in each pair of adjacent spheres, the internal ends of each ofsaid links being disposed within each of said spheres and terminatinginteriorly of said spheres in enlarged ball portions, the diameter ofsaid openings in said spheres being less than the outside diameter ofsaid enlarged ball portions, each of said spheres being mounted on itsrespective links for axial and rotatable movement thereon relative to anaxis thereof, and handle means connected with the remotelydisposed onesof said spheres.

2. A scaling or cleaning device for the exterior surface of an elongatedsubstantially cylindrical workpiece, said device comprising an elongatedlength of chain including a series of externally-knurled spheres, eachof said spheres having diametrically-opposed openings formed therein, a.plurality of substantially solid elongated cylindrical links, each ofsaid openings receiving one of the ends of a pair of said linkstherethrough, the internal ends of said links terminating interiorly ofeach of said spheres and in an enlarged ball portion, the diameter ofsaid openings in said spheres being less than the outside diameter ofsaid enlarged ball portions, each of said spheres being mounted on itsrespective links for axial and rotatable movement thereon about thelongitudinal axis of said links and independent of the movement of theother of said links,

and handle means for the remotely-disposed spheres, said handle meansincluding a pocket formed in each one thereof to receive saidremotely-disposed ones of said spheres, and said handle means includinga slot extending transversely therethrough and in open communicationwith said pocket to receive one of said links therethrough.

3. A scaling or cleaning device for the exterior surface of an elongatedsubstantially cylindrical workpiece, said device comprising an elongatedlength of substantially flexible cable, a series of spheres having anexternal abrading surface formed thereon, said spheres being mounted onsaid flexible cable in spaced relationship one with respect to theother, a plurality of spacer collars threaded on said cable and disposedbetween each adjacent pair of said spheres, means at each end of saidcable to retain said spheres and said spacer collars thereon, and handlemeans connected to the remotely-disposed ones of said spheres, saidhandle means including a pocket formed therein to receive saidremotely-disposed ones of said spheres, and said handle means having aslot formed therein communicating with said pockets to receive a portionof said cable therethrough.

4. A scaling or cleaning device for the exterior surface of an elongatedsubstantially cylindrical workpiece, said device comprising an elongatedlength of substantially flexible cable, a series of externally-threadedspheres having a knurled surface formed thereon, said spheres beingmounted on said flexible cable in longitudinally-spaced relationship,one with respect to the other, said spheres each being mounted on saidcable for independent movement relative to each other circumferentiallyaround the longitudinal axis of said cable, a plurality of spacercollars loosely threaded on said cable and being disposed between eachadjacent pair of said spheres, means at each end of said cable to retainsaid spheres and collars thereon, and handle means connected to theremotelydisposed ones of said spheres.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 75,230 3/68Wickersham 299-82 X 1,283,070 10/18 Callender 15l04.04 2,049,172 7/36Osgood l5104.l6 X 2,110,201 12/38 Cornell 5978 2,752,964 7/56 Prusinski143-135 X 2,922,218 1/60 Lewis l5104.03

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner. WALTER A. SCHEEL, Examiner.

1. A SCALING OR CLEANING DEVICE FOR THE EXTERIOR SURFACE OF AN ELONGATEDSUBSTANTIALLY CYLINDRICAL WORKPIECE, SAID DEVICE COMPRISING AN ELONGATEDLENGTH OF CHAIN INCLUDING A SERIES OF KNURLED SPHERES, A PLURALITY OFLINKS, EACH OF SAID SPHERES HAVING DIAMETRICALL-OPPOSED OPENINGS FORMEDTHEREIN TO RECEIVE, RESPECTIVELY, ONE OF THE ENDS OF A PAIR OF SAIDLINKS THERETHROUGH, SAID LINKS EXTENDING THROUGH ADJACENT OPENINGSFORMED IN EACH PAIR OF ADJACENT SPHERES, THE INTERNAL ENDS OF EACH OFSAID LINKS BEING DISPOSED WITHIN EACH OF SAID SPHERES AND TERMINATINGINTERIORLY OF SAID SPHERES IN ENLARGED BALL PORTIONS, THE DAMETER OFSAID OPENINGS IN SAID SPHERES BEING LESS THAN THE OUTSIDE DIAMETER OFSAID ENLARGED BALL PORTIONS, EACH OF SAID SPHERES BEING MOUNTED ON ITSRESPECTIVE LINKS FOR AXIAL AND ROTATABLE MOVEMENT THEREON RELATIVE TO ANAXIS THEREOF, AND HANDLE MEANS CONNECTED WITH THE REMOTELYDISPOSED ONESOF SAID SPHERES.